Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The brutal massacre perpetrated by the Ranvir Sena in Aurangabad district has evoked all-round condemnation. However, the reaction of the Prime Minister has been partisan and irresponsible. He has expressed the Centre's inability to impose President's rule in Bihar as the government does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Vajpayee has signalled his willingness to dismiss the Bihar government, the only obstacle being the lack of a majority in the Upper House. The BJP-led government has exposed its authoritarian outlook by such a statement. The double standards adopted are evident; killings in states ruled by the BJP and its allies do not warrant Central intervention, but similar instances can be used to undemocratically dismiss elected governments not to their liking.
The killing of 36 persons in Miapur village including women and children is a shocking incident. The Ranvir sena is a criminal gang patronised by upper caste landlords. Everyone knows the political links of this force. The Bihar state government has so far failed to take any effective action against this gang and its leadership.
The Politbureau demands that the Rabri Devi government immediately constitute a special force to track down this gang of killers. Failure to apprehend the culprits will affect the credibility of the administration.